Suchergebnisse

This paper presents the status of investment and trade in post-conflict Northern Uganda. Administrative trade (formal and informal) and investment (foreign and domestic) from 2005 to-date within and through the region are used to understand the dynamics within a post-conflict lens. While policies and specific regional programs by government exist to rebuild Northern Uganda, they are not specifically supportive of investment and trade taking place in the region; the policies/regulation treat Uganda as homogenous and the programmes have focused on rebuilding local livelihoods and food security through agriculture. Descriptive analysis, first, on the trends and nature of investments reveal that minimal large scale industrial activities are taking place, many are ad hoc, largely driven by small-scale/micro investors – (shops, kiosks). Second, trade (formal and informal) is high with South Sudan compared to Democratic Republic of Congo. However, trade through the region is driven by the security conditions in South Sudan. Informal trade was more in foodstuffs and foot wear commodities but these originate from other parts of the country especially, Kampala. In conclusion, we do not observe a clear linkage between investments and trade taking place in the region to local people's welfare. However, few financial institutions are being set up to support traders in cash transactions. Given that policies and programme measures that address access to finance, security of access to land for investment, and infrastructural factors are not necessarily conflict sensitive, these continue to impede growth in investments and trade in Northern Uganda.